Nutritionist shares overlooked supplement that many people aren't taking
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images
There’s a seriously underrated supplement growing in popularity due to its serious supposed health benefits - and not many of us would have heard about it until now.
Those who enjoy stacking supplements should already be familiar with the benefits of vitamin C and K2; collagen powders, which support skin hydration and elasticity; melatonin for regulating your body’s circadian rhythm, and creatine, which can promote healthy muscle growth.
However, if you’re not as tapped into the wellness sphere, then you could be missing out on a nutritionist-approved, naturally occurring nutrient found inside cocoa beans.
Previous studies have suggested that the supplement can not only help improve memory, but it may also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, which affects around half of all American adults, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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The consumable is known as cocoa flavanol, and it’s considered a potent antioxidant.
Here’s what you need to know, including other proposed health benefits, foods which contain the nutrient, and how much you could be consuming daily to smash intake goals.
Previous research has suggested that cocoa flavanols may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by supporting the body’s natural production of nitric oxide.
One study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that adults who consumed cocoa flavanols were 15 percent less likely to experience cardiovascular events.
Experts also found that there was almost a quarter (24 percent) reduction in major cardiovascular events, and a 39 percent reduction in deaths from cardiovascular disease.
According to Marie Spano, a nutritionist and circulation advisor for CocoaVia, the under-rated supplement may also help cognitive function and health.
“For men 40 and up, cocoa flavanols address two of the most important long-term health priorities: heart and brain health,” she told The Tribune.
The health professional has been backed up by research published in the scientific journal, Neurology, which found that a diet high in flavonoids was associated with better memory.
The study relied on ‘participants accurately filling out a survey about what they ate, rather than having their food intake monitored’ and saw that those who ate more flavonoids than others were less likely to report memory and thinking problems.
Other benefits may include regulating blood sugar, improving circulation, and combating oxidative stress from free radicals.
Despite research, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that there is very limited scientific evidence involving the benefits of cocoa flavanols and that more research into the plant compounds is needed.
The good news is that cocoa isn’t the only substance containing the powerful plant compounds.
Onions, kale, tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli, and peaches are all excellent sources of flavonoids, as are grapes, various berries, including strawberries, and scallions, according to Healthline.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises adults to consume around 400 to 600mg of flavonoids per day to help support heart health.
If you are struggling to hit this, then taking a supplement may be beneficial.
Be sure to contact your health provider before you start using any supplement pills and powders, as they may advise against it, says Dr Amir Khan.
The NHS GP said in a recent Instagram video: “Loads of people take them: magnesium, turmeric, St John’s wort, collagen, herbal remedies, and I think many assume ‘well, it’s natural, so it should be safe’.
“But natural doesn’t automatically mean harmless.”
This is because some supplements can directly interfere with medications, potentially putting you at risk.
“Even grapefruit juice - I know it isn’t technically a supplement but [it can impact] some medications because of the way it affects drug breakdown,” he warned.
“Some [supplements] are genuinely helpful for the right person at the right dose for the right reason.
“But my message is simply this: if you’re taking regular medication, don’t forget to tell your doctor which supplements you also take.
“Because sometimes, the interaction we’re worried about isn’t between two medications, it can be between medicine and something you thought was harmless… Just let us know.”